WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- She says she just wants to be a "normal" girl, but the last month of young tennis star Alexandra Stevenson's life has been anything but normal.
On Wednesday at the Pan American Games, the Stevenson family soap opera continued. Sort of.During a 30-minute press conference with eight members and two coaches of the U.S. Pan Am tennis team, reporters repeatedly lobbed soft volleys at Stevenson about the recent revelation that she is the out of wedlock daughter of basketball Hall of Famer, Julius "Dr. J" Erving. The 18-year-old refused to take a swing, however, giving a "no comment" almost every time one of the three dozen writers asked.
Stevenson, who stunned the tennis world by becoming the first woman qualifier to reach the semifinals at Wimbledon earlier this month, refused to elaborate on how her personal life has changed since. During the tournament, Stevenson's remarkable play was overshadowed by the news that Erving had a relationship with Alexandra's mother, Samantha Stevenson, a free-lance journalist who covered the Philadelphia 76ers while Erving starred on the team.
"Like I've said before, nothing has changed in my life," the bubbly Stevenson said. "I'm not going to comment. Sorry."
This was her first public appearance since Wimbledon, though Stevenson did tape an interview with Barbara Walters that was preempted last week because of John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s plane crash.
Stevenson refused to comment on whether the media had any right to report the story about who her father was and said she hasn't thought about having to deal with the aggressive New York media at next month's U.S. Open.
She did, however talk about her mother, who attended the press conference, saying they had a "loving, caring mother-daughter relationship" and that her mom is here as the "unofficial team coordinator."
"She gave me everything, all my morals and everything I've ever wanted," Alexandra Stevenson said. "She drove me to L.A. three times a week (for tennis lessons) for years and has always been there for my needs."
Samantha Stevenson caused some hubbub at Wimbledon with accusations of racism and lesbianism on the WTA tour, but her daughter didn't fuel any flames Wednesday.
"She didn't make any allegations about sexual orientation, the tabloids blew that out of proportion," Alexandra Stevenson said.
In regards to how her life has changed, Stevenson would only say that her ranking has gone up (to No. 37) and that she is very busy. She drew laughter from reporters when she admitted that she still doesn't have a car.
She spent much of the interview smiling and trying to sell herself as an ordinary teenager. She talked about skipping the French Open last spring and choosing instead to go to her high school prom and graduation in suburban San Diego.
"I wanted to live my last two months of high school as a normal student," she said. "The French Open will always be there.
"I always wanted to be a normal high school girl and I knew everything would eventually work out."
Stevenson is the No. 1 seed in the women's singles competition. This is her first tournament since Wimbledon.
She and the other seven U.S. team members have put aside their pro careers for a week to play in this international event. Competition begins Thursday and ends August 5. Stevenson will miss a WTA Tour stop in San Diego, but doesn't have any regrets.
"Money, in the end, you die and can't take it with you," Stevenson said. "But you don't get that many chances to play for the USOC and represent your nation."